How do you get to Ranikhet by road?
Ranikhet is about 350 km from Delhi by road through Moradabad, Rudrapur, Haldwani, Bhowali and Khairna, a drive of about 8 to 9 hours. From Kathgodam railway station it is roughly 80 km, or 3 hours. A RutzIndia.com sedan from Delhi costs Rs 12,600 Pay Now to Reserve one way and an Innova Crysta Rs 19,950 Pay Now to Reserve, before 5% GST.
Ranikhet means the queen's meadow, after a local legend of a Kumaoni queen who fell for the place, and it still has the unhurried air of somewhere chosen for its beauty rather than its commerce. The British set up a cantonment here in the 1860s, and the army has kept it tidy ever since: the Kumaon Regiment and the Naga Regiment both have their regimental centre in the town, and their lawns, churches and parade grounds sit among pine and deodar forest at around 1,800 metres. On a clear morning the whole central Himalaya, from Trishul to Nanda Devi and Panchachuli, lines the northern horizon.
Compared with Nainital, an hour and a half away, Ranikhet is calm, uncrowded and much greener, which is why it appeals to retired couples, families with small children, golfers and anyone who wants long walks rather than long queues. It is also a natural hub for exploring the Kumaon hills beyond, with Almora, Kausani and the ancient temples of Dwarahat within a morning's drive. RutzIndia.com offers one-way drops from Delhi NCR, pickups from Kathgodam station and Pantnagar airport, and cars that stay with you for the whole holiday.
What to see in and around Ranikhet
In town
- Kumaon Regimental Museum. Run by the regimental centre, with medals, weapons, uniforms and captured trophies that trace the Kumaon Regiment's campaigns. Visiting hours follow the army's schedule, so ask at your hotel.
- Jhula Devi temple. A small shrine to Durga on the Chaubatia road, its railings hung with thousands of brass bells offered by devotees whose wishes were granted.
- Chaubatia Gardens. Government orchards about 10 km from town, with apples, apricots, plums and peaches depending on the season, and a fruit research centre. The views over the Himalaya from here are excellent.
- Bhalu Dam. A small lake in the forest below Chaubatia, reached by a short walk; quiet and good for picnics.
- Mankameshwar temple. Built by the Kumaon Regiment near the parade ground, with a gurdwara and a shawl factory close by.
- Upat golf course. An army-maintained nine-hole course on a meadow a few kilometres out of town, with the Himalaya as a backdrop. Check with the club about green fees and visitor tee times.
A short drive away
- Majkhali, about 12 km on the Almora road, for sweeping snow views and quiet walking trails.
- Dwarahat, about 35 km away, a cluster of stone temples from the Katyuri period, several protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, with the hilltop Dunagiri temple above it.
- Haidakhan Babaji temple, a peaceful ashram temple near Chilianaula, a few kilometres from the centre.
The Uttarakhand Tourism Ranikhet page covers treks and viewpoints, and the Almora district website, which administers Ranikhet, lists other nearby places.
The drive to Ranikhet from Delhi
Delhi to Rampur and Rudrapur
From east Delhi your chauffeur takes the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and NH9 through Hapur and over the Ganga at Garhmukteshwar, then past Gajraula and around Moradabad. Beyond Moradabad the road heads to Rampur and Bilaspur before crossing into Uttarakhand at Rudrapur. This is flat, fast, tolled four-lane highway with plenty of dhabas; Gajraula and Rampur are the common breakfast stops.
Haldwani, Kathgodam and the climb
At Haldwani, the commercial capital of Kumaon, traffic thickens until you reach Kathgodam, where the plains end abruptly and the hill road begins. The first climb up to Bhimtal and Bhowali is steady and busy; at Bhowali the Nainital road branches left and your car continues down the Kosi valley through Garampani to Khairna, then turns up the last 20-odd km of pine forest to Ranikhet. The Khairna to Ranikhet road is narrow but well kept.
The Ramnagar alternative
Guests combining Ranikhet with Corbett can come up from Ramnagar instead, via Mohaan and the forested Kosi valley. It is slightly slower but beautiful, and ideal after a safari stop; our Jim Corbett by road guide explains that leg.
Allow 8 to 9 hours from Delhi on a normal day. From Kathgodam station the 80 km takes about 3 hours; from Pantnagar airport, about 115 km, a little under 4.
Best time to visit Ranikhet
- March to June: spring blossom in the orchards, then a long, pleasant summer when the plains are unbearable. May and June weekends are the busiest time.
- July to mid-September: monsoon. The forests are lush and cloud drifts through town, but the Kathgodam to Khairna road sees occasional slips and the mountain views vanish.
- October to December: the best time for Himalayan views, with clear, cold mornings and golden light. Diwali and the Christmas-New Year week fill hotels.
- January and February: cold, with occasional snowfall on the higher ridges and at Chaubatia. Carry serious woollens.
No permits are needed for Ranikhet itself. As in any cantonment, photography near military installations is not permitted.
Chauffeured options and Ranikhet fares
Every price here is based on our published per-km rates and is quoted exclusive of 5% GST. Road tolls, parking and any state entry charge are billed as incurred, and for trips where the car stays out overnight the driver's allowance is Rs 1,500 per night. Round trips are charged on the actual distance or on 250 km per calendar day, whichever works out higher.
| Ranikhet transfer or trip | Compact sedan | Ertiga | Innova Crysta | Fortuner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Ranikhet, one way (about 350 km) | Rs 12,600 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 14,700 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 19,950 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 29,400 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Kathgodam station to Ranikhet (about 80 km, minimum fare applies) | Rs 3,960 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 4,950 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 6,930 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 12,360 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Pantnagar airport to Ranikhet (about 115 km, minimum fare applies to Ertiga, Innova and Fortuner) | Rs 4,140 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 4,950 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 6,930 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 12,360 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Delhi round trip, 3 days (750 km billed) | Rs 27,000 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 31,500 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 42,750 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 63,000 Pay Now to Reserve |
- Couples travel comfortably in a sedan; the Khairna road is fine for small cars.
- Families with grandparents do better in an Ertiga or Innova Crysta on rent, which ride the bends more smoothly.
- Groups of 12 or more can book a Tempo Traveller in Delhi at Rs 78 per km, Rs 27,300 one way.
- Combining Nainital? See our Delhi to Nainital taxi fares for that leg.
Cars are never older than four model years. There is no charge if you cancel more than 72 hours before pickup; a later cancellation costs 10% within 72 hours, 50% within 48 hours, and the full fare within 24 hours or on a no-show, as explained in our cancellation policy.
A 3-day Ranikhet itinerary by car
Day 1: Delhi to Ranikhet (about 350 km). Leave by 6 am to clear Ghaziabad early. Breakfast at Gajraula, lunch in Haldwani or a quick bite at Bhowali, and arrive in Ranikhet by late afternoon. Evening stroll on the Mall and around the church.
Day 2: Ranikhet and surroundings (about 60 km of local driving). Morning at Chaubatia Gardens and Bhalu Dam, Jhula Devi temple on the way back, lunch in town, then the regimental museum and Mankameshwar temple. Golfers can book a round at Upat.
Day 3: Dwarahat and return, or onward (about 60 km plus the drive home). Drive to Dwarahat for its temple group early, then either head back to Delhi, or continue deeper into Kumaon. Almora is about 50 km away and Kausani about 80 km; our Almora by road guide and Kausani by road guide pick up from there.
Where to stay and what to eat in Ranikhet
Ranikhet's hotels fall into three loose groups, and your choice affects how much driving you do.
The Mall and Sadar Bazaar area has older family-run hotels and a government tourist bungalow, within walking distance of the churches, the regimental centre and the evening market. Handy if you want to stroll rather than drive.
The Chaubatia and Chilianaula side is quieter and higher, with resorts and cottages among the orchards and forest, and the best sunrise views over the snow peaks. You will use the car more, but mornings here are worth it.
Majkhali and the Almora road have a handful of heritage-style retreats and homestays for people who want complete silence and an uninterrupted horizon.
Meals are mostly North Indian with a Kumaoni thread running through them. Look for bhatt ki churkani (black soybean curry), aloo ke gutke with jakhiya tempering, madua rotis and, for dessert, bal mithai or singori from the bazaar sweet shops. Fruit stalls in summer sell Chaubatia apricots, plums and peaches straight from the orchards. Restaurants close early, usually by 9.30 pm, so eat in good time or arrange dinner with your hotel.
If you are travelling with elders or small children, mention it when you book. Our driver will schedule a longer lunch break on the plains, avoid the busiest Haldwani hours and choose a hotel entrance with easy parking.
Practical tips for Ranikhet
- Start early from Delhi. The Haldwani and Kathgodam stretch is slow after mid-morning, and arriving before dark on hill roads is sensible.
- Fuel at Haldwani or Bhowali. Ranikhet has pumps, but it pays to top up before the climb.
- Pack layers. Even in June, evenings need a sweater; in December, thermals.
- Buy local. Kumaoni shawls from the regimental centre's factory, apricot and plum preserves, and bal mithai sweets make good souvenirs.
- Ask before you walk. Some cantonment roads close to civilians at certain hours; your hotel or driver will know.
- Keep your own car for side trips. Local taxis are limited, and a driver who stays with you makes Dwarahat, Majkhali and Almora easy. Need a car in Delhi before or after? Try our taxi service in Delhi.
